San Francisco 49ers: Grading the victory against the Atlanta Falcons

ATLANTA -- Here is how the 49ers (13-4-1) graded in their 28-24 win over the host Atlanta Falcons (14-4):

Pass offense

Colin Kaepernick stayed poised amid a 17-0 deficit and spotted the right matchups. That often resulted in tight end Vernon Davis' resurgence (106 yards, touchdown). Kaepernick's passer rating of 127.7 led all quarterbacks in Sunday's games, as he was 16 of 21 for 233 yards with no turnovers. Michael Crabtree rebounded from a fumble at the Falcons 1-yard line to make an 8-yard catch that set up the go-ahead touchdown. Grade: A

Run offense

San Francisco 49ers' Vernon Davis (85) celebrates his touchdown catch with San Francisco 49ers' starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and San Francisco 49ers' Alex Boone (75) against the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter of the NFC Championship game on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) (Nhat V. Meyer)

It has to be Frank Gore's greatest game of his eight-season, record-filled career. His 9-yard, go-ahead touchdown run highlighted a 90-yard, two-touchdown day. He found the creases in a Falcons defense consumed with Kaepernick, who only had one designed run (minus-2 yards) and one scramble (23 yards). Rookie LaMichael James' 15-yard TD run broke the ice. Unlike last year's NFC championship game, Anthony Dixon came through on third-and-1 in the fourth quarter. Grade: A

Pass defense

Advertisement

Linebackers Ahmad Brooks and NaVorro Bowman broke up the most meaningful passes the 49ers faced this season, doing so on third and fourth down to halt the Falcons at the 10-yard line. As bad as the secondary played in the first half, the cornerbacks became playmakers, starting with Chris Culliver's interception. Tarell Brown broke up a deep pass and so did Carlos Rogers, who also made a key tackle on Tony Gonzalez. Grade: B-

Run defense

San Francisco 49ers' Frank Gore (21) celebrates after scoring in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons as the Niners won the NFC Championship game 28-24, on Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. (Patrick Tehan/Bay Area News Group)
(
Patrick Tehan
)

From Justin Smith's tackle on the opening snap to Patrick Willis' game-high 12th tackle on the Falcons' penultimate series, this unit allowed only 3.5 yards per carry and 81 yards total. Michael Turner missed a chunk of the game with an ankle injury and Jacquizz Rodgers couldn't break a run longer than nine yards. Grade: A

Special teams

Ted Ginn Jr.'s only punt return was monumental to the comeback, as that 20-yard sprint put them at the Falcons' 38-yard line for the go-ahead series. David Akers went 5-for-5 on touchback kickoffs, but his 38-yard field-goal attempt struck the upright and cast his future in doubt again. Grade: B-

Coaching

Jim Harbaugh's second season has bred the 49ers' first Super Bowl berth in 18 years. Forget about his hissy fit on the failed replay challenge. He and his staff coached up this unit so strong they didn't buckle at a 17-0 deficit. Instead, the Greg Roman-coordinated offense exploited Mike Nolan's defense. Vic Fangio made adjustments and the 49ers defenders shut out the Falcons after halftime. Grade: A